Children Believe comes alongside communities through local partners to empower them to remove the obstacles that get in the way of children going to, staying in, and finishing school. We help them to make sure nothing else gets in the way of their futures.

Things like: Child Hunger, Child Labour, Child Sexual Exploitation, Lack of health care, Lack of clean water...

The list is long, but our resolve is strong. Community by community, Children Believe is working towards a better future for children, full of choices. Poverty is complex, that is true, but helping is not.

Our Mission

Children Believe creates a future of hope for children, families, and communities by helping them develop the skills and resources to overcome poverty and injustice.
For 60 years, we have followed the example of Christ by serving the poor regardless of their faith, cultural, and ethnic background.

Meet Our Team

OUR VALUES

Results

With a global perspective, we take strategic action to positively transform the lives of children, families and communities

Respect

We champion the rights, dignity and value of all people. We treat others as we want them to treat us.

Integrity

We are honest and trustworthy in all our actions. Our actions are consistent with our vision and mission.

Teamwork

We combine diverse expertise and personal initiative, creating a powerful synergy to accomplish our shared goals.

Excellence

We continually innovate and challenge ourselves to achieve the highest-quality results.

Where we work

"My dream is to be a physics and chemistry teacher. I believe my example can inspire other girls."

Alimata - Burkina Faso

Our History

We have been helping children for over 60 years. Drag the timeline to see more.

1931

Dr. Verent Mills leaves a promising engineering career in Canada to become a missionary (and eventual hero) in China.

1942

During the Second Sino-Japanese war, Mills rescues 142 orphans under fire, fleeing on foot 480 km to a China's Children Fund-supported orphanage.

1947

Mills joins China's Children Fund, as a regional director in Shanghai, scouting underfunded orphanages. Meanwhile, Dr. J. Calvitt Clarke, founder and missionary, pioneers a sponsorship concept connecting donors and children.

1960

Mills and Clarke help create Christian Children's Fund of Canada since Canadians rallied around Clarke's call for sponsors.

Present Day

As Children Believe, our name helps children of all faiths understand we believe in them — and their dreams, too.

Our Promise

hands with palms open, holding seeds — We're Accountable

Integrity and transparency are essential to how we've been working for 60 years

Our Accountability

A young girl smiling and catching fresh water in her hands from a running tap — We're Results-Driven

We monitor and measure what we do to help ensure the greatest change possible

Our Projects

A gathering of people seated and watching a children's group perform on stage — We Celebrate Success

We share how the future is looking brighter for children and their families

Our Stories

We Believe...

in the richness of uniting people with diverse beliefs and cultural backgrounds who are passionate about working collaboratively, in an environment of trust, equity and integrity, for the protection and empowerment of children.

OUR PROMISE

WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE

Integrity and transparency are essential to how we’ve been working for 60 years.

OUR ACCOUNTABILITY

WE'RE RESULTS-DRIVEN

We measure what we do to ensure the greatest change possible.

OUR PROJECTS

community-graduation-celebration

WE CELEBRATE SUCCESS

We share how the future is looking brighter for children and their families.

OUR BLOG

About Inspiring Stories

September 2025

Back to School: The Universal Power of Possibility...

CEO Fred Witteveen reflects on back-to-school season and how removing barriers to education gives every child the same sense of possibility.

From Numbers to Hearts: My Journey as a Mother and...

Discover Noor’s inspiring journey as a mother and financial analyst, showing how numbers translate into life-changing impact for children and communities.

Strong communities keep kids safe

Discover how Children Believe’s programs helped Daysi protect her children, strengthen her community, and build a brighter future.

Sponsorship empowers children to speak up

"I am passionate about getting the voices and opinions of children heard at home, school and in the nation."

Emmanual , 12 - Ghana

Sponsor A Child

January 0001

Who we are

We stand with children to cut through the noise of poverty so every child has a voice and future worth fighting for.